Elements of the Gothic: ‘For writers in the gothic tradition, the struggle between good and evil is always of central importance and good is rarely victorious.’ How far do you agree with this view?

?
  • Created by: Alessia
  • Created on: 16-04-13 23:19
View mindmap
  • ‘For writers in the gothic tradition, the struggle between good and evil is always of central importance and good is rarely victorious.’ How far do you agree with this view?
    • Introduction
      • Start with introducing all three texts; discuss the good and the evil characters in each. Could consider good and evil to almost be a disease i.e. it’s like a force which takes over them.
    • Macbeth
      • Macbeth initially is a good character but his weaknesses get the better of his- this is an example of evil becoming victorious
      • Lady Macbeth could be considered the driving force behind Macbeth but in the end she becomes the innocent, but unfortunately dies again an example of evil over powering good.
      • Evil conquers good, until the very end when peace is resorted in this case after all of the disaster good has proved to be victorious.
    • Doctor Faustus
      • The devil (evil) takes over Faustus soul
      • Very little good is present in Faustus, perhaps talk about the lack of goodness. The good angel is the only presence of good
    • Frankenstein
      • Both the monster and victor are deemed to be ‘good’ characters at the beginning 
      • Victor is often described as a well respected character before he went on his exploration
      • The creature was created innately good? He needs the nurture to develop his skills but he didn’t receive it
      • Here there is an evident t struggle between good and evil and unfortunately evil overpower the good.
    • Wuthering Heights
      • Heathcliff isn’t an evil character but the loss of Cathy, encourages him to become a cold and heart less character
      • Not much presence of evil
      • However there is lots of violence chapter 17
      • Good does ultimately win as younger Catherine and Hareton begin their life together and Heathcliff dies and is reunited with his one love Catherine
      • The struggle is present in Heathcliff’s character more so as he battles with his temper and his grief. 
    • Conclusion
      • bring all three texts together group the ones that are similar in the struggle (if any).
      • All show a struggle between right and wrong Faustus, Frankenstein and Macbeth choose the wrong path. Wuthering heights on the other hand could be considered not to be evil but to just show the theme desire and grief and loneliness. 

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar English Literature resources:

See all English Literature resources »